"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1963: On Ben Jerrod, Agnes (Jeanne Baird) was rebuffed when she sought information.

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1965: On General Hospital, Eddie (Doug Lambert) and Angie (Jana Taylor) started down a path leading to tragedy.

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1965: On The Young Marrieds, Walter (Michael T. Miller) received cautious advice from his lawyer.

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1965: On A Flame In The Wind, Roxanne (Margaret Hayes) received some serious advice.

2001:Spyder Games, a new half-hour soap opera, premiered on MTV. Watch the first episode below, and note the clever references to both B&B and Y&R by characters who actually watch daytime soaps. The show was created by Valerie Ahern and Christian McLaughlin.

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2010: The character of Liz Foster died on The Young and the Restless. Liz was played by actress Julianna McCarthy, an original cast member of the series in 1973 and longtime fan favorite. In the episode, Liz made a deathbed confession to Kay Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper), and said a special, loving goodbye to each of her children. Snapper (David Hasselhoff) decided to reveal Liz's secret to Jill (Jess Walton). Later, Jill showed up outside Lauren's door.

2010: On Days of our Lives, Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) and Melissa (Lisa Trusel) returned to Salem.

2014: Kassie DePaiva debuted as Eve Donovan on Days of our Lives.

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Celebrating a birthday today are:Elizabeth Franz (ex-Alma, Another World; ex-Helen, As the World Turns) - 75Constance McCashin (ex-Laura, Knots Landing) - 69Linda Thorson (ex-Rosemary, Emmerdale; ex-Julia, One Life to Live) - 69Andrea Evans (ex-Vivian, DeVanity; ex-Tina, One Life to Live; Rebecca, Passions; ex-Tawny, The Bold and the Beautiful; ex-Patty/Tawny, The Young and the Restless) - 59Robin Christopher (ex-Skye, General Hospital; ex-Skye, One Life to Live; ex-Skye, All My Children; ex-Lorna, Another World) - 51Michael Sutton (ex-Stone, General Hospital) - 46Kerry Butler (ex-Claudia, One Life to Live) - 45Alana De La Garza (ex-Rosa, All My Children) - 40Ashlee Holland (ex-Crystal, Days of our Lives) - 37Renee Olstead (ex-Madison, The Secret Life of the American Teenager) - 27

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a soap history entry for this date or a future date, email editor@welovesoaps.com.